Types of Essay

An essay is a small piece of writing that discusses, describes or analyses a topic. It may discuss a subject directly or indirectly, seriously or humorously. There are various essay types. These essay types that include are explained below:

The function of expository essay is to explain something to reader by giving directions or instructions, or to acquaint their reader with knowledge about how to complete a task or how something
is done. Students are demonstrating their own knowledge and explaining with facts, not their opinion.

The cause/effect essay explains why or how some event happened, and what resulted from event. This essay is a study of relationship between two or more events or experiences. The essay or essay writing could discuss both causes and effects, or it could simply address one or other. A cause essay usually discusses reasons why something happened.


An argumentative essay is one that attempts to persuade reader to writer’s point of view. The writer may either be serious or funny, but always tries to convince reader of validity of his or her opinion.
The essay may argue openly, or it may attempt to subtly persuade reader by using irony or sarcasm. Your approach is to take a stand on an issue and use evidence to back up their stance, not to explore an unresolved topic.

The research essay leads students into works of others and asks students to compare their thoughts with their own. Writing a essay involves going to source material and synthesizing what students learn
from it with their own ideas. Students must find texts on subject and use them to support topic students have been given to explore. Because it is easy to become lost in a wilderness of source material, students must take particular care to narrow their topic. An essay must demonstrate what students have learned, but it must also show that students have a perspective of their own on subject.

In literary essay, students are exploring meaning and construction of a piece of literature. In a review students are discussing overall effect and validity of written work, while in a literary essay students are paying more attention to specifics.

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